Skepticism meets minister's call for partnership with aboriginals

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt stood all but alone Monday as he marked the end of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and called for a long-term partnership between Canada’s indigenous and non-aboriginal people.

Surrounded by empty Conservative seats in the House of Commons, Valcourt said that while the commission’s work was coming to a close, “the work to heal the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians must continue.

“Reconciliation is a goal that will take the commitment of multiple generations, and the Government of Canada understands the importance of transformation — how it works with aboriginal people and shifting attitudes and perceptions among all Canadians,” he added.

The commission spent six years examining the residential school system, in which the federal government sent aboriginal children to church-run schools, where many faced physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

It is expected to propose far-reaching changes Tuesday to restore trust between the country and its First Nations, and to help improve the lives of aboriginals in areas such as health, education and justice.

Many aboriginals are also hoping it serves to open the eyes of non-aboriginal Canadians who have looked down upon the country’s indigenous people, and help end racism and discrimination while prompting real action to address the challenges facing First Nations communities.

“I believe that it’ll help open people’s eyes in the sense that most people will say, ‘When are the Indians going to get over it?’” Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde said Monday.

“When people get the impact that we suffered through from residential schools and the Indian Act, and cultural genocide, they’ll be more open to bring about real reconciliation.”

NDP MP Romeo Saganash, who is a residential school survivor, called upon the government, and all Canadians, to “seize” the opportunity that will come when the commission’s report is released Tuesday “and collectively commit to genuine change in our relations with the first peoples of this country.”

“Let us set out to do what 148 years of successive governments have not managed to achieve,” Saganash said in the House of Commons, “and that is reconciliation.”

About 30 NDP MPs sat with Saganash as he spoke. About 10 Liberal MPs and fewer than 20 Conservative MPs were also in attendance.

Valcourt pledged the federal government “will continue its efforts to advance reconciliation,” but did not provide any specific details. The minister is expected to respond to the commission’s specific recommendations Tuesday.

Yet hopes for real action are in short supply, and not simply because it seemed most Conservative MPs, including the majority of cabinet ministers, had better things to do than listen to Valcourt’s statement in the House on Monday — though that didn’t help.

“They were nice words that were pronounced by the minister today in the House,” Saganash told the Citizen in an interview. “But there was no one behind the minister while he was speaking on this issue. I hope it’s not an indication of what they think about aboriginal peoples in this country and reconciliation.”

The Conservative government has previously rejected calls for an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls. It also introduced a bill to reform aboriginal education last year and promised extra funds, but set it aside when aboriginal organizations opposed it for a variety of reasons.

Bellegarde said it would be “difficult” for true reconciliation without an inquiry, as well as additional money for First Nations’ education and housing, and “a respectful process to engage with the Crown, especially when it comes to education. It’s not good enough to unilaterally impose legislation.”

Liberal aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett said she hopes to see the Conservative government announce a bold plan for reconciliation Tuesday.

“I will be thrilled if that is rolled out tomorrow,” she said. “But I somehow feel that based on their track record, we will be disappointed.”

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